Kuwait able to deal with health challenges: UN

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 28: The immunization process against the ‘Covid-19’ pandemic kicked off in Kuwait yesterday, coinciding with several countries in the European Union, targeting medical personnel and front lines workers of the Ministry of Health during the first stage and next in line are the front lines workers of the ministries of Interior of Defense and then those 65 years old and above.

Minister of Health, Sheikh Dr. Basil Al- Sabah said the number of those registered for the vaccination exceeds 120,000, confirming there is a clear positive indication for the vaccination registration campaign. He said the Kuwait Vaccination Center has a capacity of 10,000 people per day. Dr Al-Sabah said in a press statement on the sidelines of the start of the first phase of the vaccination process 1,000 people were vaccinated yesterday, and it is expected to increase the capacity to reach 10,000 people per day during the next week, hoping everyone will be vaccinated during the year. .

He added the two vaccination sites are being prepared in the Ahmadi and Jahra governorates, and they will be completed upon the arrival of the second batch of vaccinations which are expected in February. He pointed out the second batch of vaccinations will be stored in a refrigerator and not in a freezer and can be transported easily.

Al-Sabah affirmed His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister has given directives to pay attention to the front line workers and to provide all the preventive measures they need to complete their work in the fullest manner, and indicated that there are several companies manufacturing vaccines, but until now they have not been approved and therefore we will not import from any company unless given nod by the concerned authorities.

He pointed out the State of Kuwait was one of the first countries to receive the vaccinations along with the developed countries and pointed out the vaccine arrived in what he called a good quantity at the first stage, and it will arrive on a monthly basis. He called on everyone to register for the vaccine because vaccination needs to be given in an organized and orderly manner.

He said, the vaccination center is equipped to deal with any side effect, and added, “Thank God, we have not yet witnessed any complications, problems or side effects from taking vaccinations.” The UN Secretary-General Representative Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, Dr. Tariq Al-Sheikh, praised Kuwait’s ability and preparedness for any health emergency and challenge, including COVID- 19 pandemic.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies